How to treat post traumatic stress disorder?

With Australian troops returning from Afghanistan in two years time, the Federal Minister for Defence, Science and Personnel has admitted he doesn't know how many service people are suffering from mental illness as a result of war.

Warren Snowdon's comments come as retired Major General Jim Cantwell (pictured) launches a book on his time in Iraq and Afghanistan and the post traumatic stress disorder he suffered.

On 702 Mornings, a number of callers told Linda Mottram of their experience with mental illness after being traumatised.

And the questions raised were - can post traumatic stress disorder be prevented and if so, how?

Former NSW Police officer Allan Sparkes suffered after two terrible incidents at work in 1995 - the murder of two police colleagues, and the rescue of a small child from a stormwater drain.

"As far as police are concerned, if you're operational then you will be exposed to varying degrees of traumatic events, from mild to traumatic to horrific," he says.

And, like those in defence or other emergency service roles, it's the continual exposure to the horrific end of the spectrum that has the effect of 'depositing into the PTSD bucket'.

Allan believes he may have suffered less if he'd known he could have relied on help and support from police hierarchy.

"I took the option to try and medicate myself through alcohol abuse... had I had the courage to seek professional psychological help long long before that, I would've suffered far less," he says.

But, Allan says even though asking for help is important, it's not enough. He argues it's important to know you won't be viewed differently for doing so. And in his case, he feels he would've been.

"You've got to be able to say it with confidence.

"If I had disclosed that then, my career would've ended... even though I never applied for a discharge, I did lose my career from it."

Fortunately for those in the police force, things have changed since then.

"I believe that in the current day there are steps being taken to assist people to recover and continue with their careers," he says.

You can listen to Allan's story and others by clicking on the audio link.